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Design · head to head

PaintTool SAI vs Vectr

P

PaintTool SAI

Design

Lightweight digital painting and illustration software for Windows

From
5500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vectr logo

Vectr

Design

Free vector graphics editor for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Vectr has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: PaintTool SAI windows-only software with no native Mac or Linux version.; Vectr performance issues: slowness during edits is a recurring complaint, especially problematic for complex designs
  • They diverge on capability: PaintTool SAI covers Pressure-Sensitive Tablet Support, Vectr covers Vector drawing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PaintTool SAI and Vectr actually diverge.

Attributes where PaintTool SAI and Vectr differ
AttributePaintTool SAIVectr
Starting price5500/monthFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformswindowsWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Design).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in PaintTool SAI

  • Pressure-Sensitive Tablet Support
  • Anti-Aliased Brushes
  • 16-bit ARGB Color Channels
  • Lightweight Performance
  • Crash Data Protection

Only in Vectr

  • Vector drawing
  • Shape tools
  • Typography
  • Gradient tools
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Cloud storage
  • Export options
  • Simple interface

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

PaintTool SAI

  • Digital illustration and manga artnot Vectr
  • Line art and inking with pressure-sensitive pensnot Vectr
  • Lightweight painting on lower-spec computersnot Vectr
  • Character and concept art sketchingnot Vectr

Vectr

  • Logo designnot PaintTool SAI
  • Vector illustrationnot PaintTool SAI
  • Web graphicsnot PaintTool SAI
  • Learning designnot PaintTool SAI

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

PaintTool SAI

  • Windows-only software with no native Mac or Linux version.
  • Only supports 32-bit operation, lacking modern 64-bit performance benefits.
  • Lacks the advanced brush engine customization and layer effects found in tools like Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint.
  • No cloud sync or mobile app, unlike many modern illustration tools.

Vectr

  • Performance issues: slowness during edits is a recurring complaint, especially problematic for complex designs
  • Limited advanced features: lacks some features available in paid tools like Adobe Illustrator including complex shape manipulation
  • Internet dependency: requires constant internet connection with no offline capabilities limiting use in unreliable connectivity areas
  • Limited export options: fewer export formats compared to other vector graphics software
  • Limited integration: does not offer seamless integration with other design tools and lacks third-party extension support

Pricing, plan by plan

PaintTool SAI

5500/month
  • Standard License$5500/month
    • Perpetual license
    • All 1.x.x minor updates
    • Free upgrade path to version 2

Vectr

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1GB storage
    • Basic tools
    • Limited AI credits
  • Plus$1.99/month
    • 1GB storage
    • 600 AI credits
    • Single-session access
  • Premium$4.99/month
    • 5GB storage
    • 2,400 AI credits
    • Three concurrent sessions

Which should you pick?

Choose PaintTool SAI if

  • You need pressure-sensitive tablet support.
  • You work on windows.
  • You also want anti-aliased brushes.
PaintTool SAI review

Choose Vectr if

  • You need vector drawing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook.
  • You also want shape tools.
Vectr review

Questions people ask

Is PaintTool SAI or Vectr better?
Neither clearly leads. PaintTool SAI starts at 5500/month and Vectr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PaintTool SAI or Vectr?
Vectr has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at 5500/month for PaintTool SAI and Free for Vectr.
Does PaintTool SAI or Vectr run on more platforms?
PaintTool SAI runs on windows. Vectr runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook.
Can I use Vectr for free?
Yes. Vectr has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PaintTool SAI starts at 5500/month.
What is PaintTool SAI best used for?
PaintTool SAI is most often used for digital illustration and manga art, line art and inking with pressure-sensitive pens, lightweight painting on lower-spec computers, character and concept art sketching. Of those, digital illustration and manga art and line art and inking with pressure-sensitive pens are not what Vectr is typically brought in for.
What can PaintTool SAI do that Vectr cannot?
PaintTool SAI covers Pressure-Sensitive Tablet Support, Anti-Aliased Brushes, 16-bit ARGB Color Channels, Lightweight Performance. Vectr covers Vector drawing, Shape tools, Typography, Gradient tools.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PaintTool SAI: Is there a free trial for PaintTool SAI?

Yes, PaintTool SAI offers a 31-day free trial with full functionality before requiring purchase of a license.

Source
Vectr: Is Vectr free to use?

Vectr offers a free plan with 1GB storage, basic tools, and limited AI credits for essential vector editing. Paid Plus and Premium plans provide additional storage, AI credits, and concurrent sessions.

Source
PaintTool SAI: What does the license cover?

The one-time 5,500 JPY purchase provides a perpetual license covering all minor updates within version 1.x.x; a major version 2 upgrade is offered for free.

Source
Vectr: Can you collaborate in real-time with Vectr?

Yes, Vectr features built-in real-time collaboration with live workspace sharing through custom URLs and integrated chat for team communication, enabling distributed creative teamwork.

Source
PaintTool SAI: What operating systems are supported?

PaintTool SAI runs on Windows XP through Windows 11, but only in 32-bit mode, requiring at least a 450MHz Pentium processor and 256MB of RAM.

Source
Vectr: Does Vectr require an internet connection?

Yes, Vectr requires constant internet connection as it is cloud-based. It does not have offline capabilities, which can be limiting for users in areas with unreliable connectivity.

Source
Vectr: What file formats can you export from Vectr?

Vectr supports exporting in SVG, PNG, JPG, and Vectr SVG formats. Compared to other vector graphics software, export options are somewhat limited.

Source
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